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Arts groups face shut-down and job cuts after funding slashed

The Irish Writers' Centre, the Temple Bar gallery and the theatre group behind Brian Friel's internationally toured Flight of the Earls are facing closure after cuts in their funding from the Arts Council.

Job losses and a "mainstreaming" of theatre and museums are being predicted after 300 arts groups had their grants cut by up to 50%. Another 30 companies which received funding last year were refused.

Literary groups say Dublin's application to Unesco for City of Literature status is in jeopardy. The Irish Writers' Centre, which received 200,000 in 2008, but nothing in 2009, was refused funding again. Jack Harte, its chairman, said the decision was "myopic". Unpaid staff have kept it open, but Harte said it could not be sure of survival beyond next month.

Last year Barabbas, a theatre company headed by Raymond Keane, received 176,000 but its funding has been stopped.Keane said it would be impossible